iNDeX iNSiDer MIChael rICharDS Ceo, PanPa "The more things change, the more they are the same" This is a quote from the late French critic, Alphonse Karr (1808-1890). These words are oft quoted and become relevant again and again. This time around, we look to the future with the announce- ment about the way our media landscape will be shaped through the introduction of long awaited new Government regulations. But what does it all really mean?Will we see greater diver- sity of media ownership?Will we see a reduction of diversity in some key regional markets? Some say we will be worse off and that no major realignment of proprietorship will occur. Other observers say we are now closing the door to any further overseas investment in our media industry in Australia because we are, in reality, being too restrictive. This may not be the case... At the centrepiece of the new regulations proposed by Com- munications Minister Senator Helen Coonan is her "blueprint" which uses terms like 'voices' and 'diversity'. This sounds very avant-garde; however there were not many shocks. We were ex- pecting to see foreign ownership and local media rules relaxed. They were. Effectively this means you can now own a TV station, a radio station and a newspaper in the same capital city market. We see that analogue television will be turned off later than first thought. It will be progressively phased out over two years from 2010. The interim period sees a strong focus on digital. However this is not as strategic as it may sound -- only 15% of Australian households have gone digital, so the rate of change in the living rooms of Australia may not reflect the aspirations of the Government or the key players. That's one demerit. Then, if you look into the real 'value' in the blueprint it lies in the expansion and development of non-traditional media. That's also where the foreign invest- ment may come from -- there are many other much more highly developed markets in theWorld that are rapidly embracing digital media and the potential they see may now be awakened in Australia. The big question for Australia is, aren't the traditional media players the ones most likely to de- velop these new media channels anyway? If the answer is yes, then we have to ask ourselves how much the balance of power/pro- prietorship/control/diversity will actually change. Demerit two. The rules allow cross media ownership with guidelines based on market size, specifically there are to be 'remaining' a minimum number of media groups/ propri- etors - four in regional markets, five in mainland state capitals. However in some regional markets it will be economically unviable to have as many as four media groups operating in their market. That's demerit three. The likelihood of major chang- es in the cross media ownership of traditional media is limited to a few companies that are seen as 'take-over' targets so the status quo is more likely the order of the day. 'Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.' The pluses come in the form of the opportunity of expansion -- some of these will be taken from the existing media compa- nies who are already developing their digital content and that very clearly includes the newspaper industry -- and those who have only a digital business model -- the companies that may well need content partners like news- papers. In any event, newspapers as major creators and produc- ers of content have much to be gained. Newspapers for the future -- 'vive la difference! NEWS Dealing with disaster.........................4 Herald Sun cover price to rise ............................................5 Muslim media guide launched.......6 NZ publishers react ...........................6 New program to see better trained journalists ...............................8 New training books ............................9 Economy 2006 – the verdict.........9 APN accused of listening in..........10 Journalists assaulted in Papua ...10 Journalists warned about Fiji Elections ...........................10 Two of Us’ hits TV .............................10 Murdoch says elite losing power 11 Internet revenues save Fairfax ..14 Heading for the niche ......................14 New Samoan Daily Launched..... 12 Philemon’s work acknowledged.16 Keelty hits out at media............... 16 CONTENT PANPA Ad Forum wrap up ........ 18 So far so good for Courier Mail 27 MARKETING European trends – are they working? ....................24/25 CALENDAR Your guide to the best 2006/2007 events ......................... 20 PRODUCTION Quadtech impresses in India ..................................................30 Rural Press now largest Trendsetter user ...............................30 Fairfax wins print award................31 A whole campaign at your fngertips.............................................. 31 MAN Roland to become indepenant........................................... 31 Design for younger readers ........ 32 Norske Skog restructures ........... 33 APN supports new CtP supplier........................................ 33 COVER STORY Deregulation – and the winner is?............................26 E- MEDIA The great online buying spree ....39 Drop- out trades up.........................40 APN NZ to grow own online brands ....................................................42 Content still counts .........................42 HISTORY Katherine Times – Short life, big success.................... 45 RECRUITMENT Making exotics grow ..................... 25 REGULAR COLUMNS PUBLISHING MATTERS – Peter Issacson ..............................................13 TECHNOLOGY MATTERS – Stephen Quinn ...........................................29 MEDIA MATTERS – Mark Pearson ...........................................................24 SOFTWARE MATTERS – Kevin Slimp ......................................................38 TRACKER – Norske Skog .................................................................................38 PRESSING MATTERS – Randy Covington...............................................36 PROFILE – Sue Waite .......................................................................................48 MEDI LAW – Matthew Lamb ........................................................................22 THE FLASH – Our new gossip column .......................................................50 PEOPLE Steinke moves West ....................... 47 Building the business Profle – Sue Waite...........................48 Hopkins to stay at APN...................49 Woodside moves to national role ..........................................49 Rickertson’s new role ..................... 43 Fisher continuing at News Interactiv ...............................................43 “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.”